Updates to B.C.'s First Aid Requirements October 24 2024
Effective November 1, 2024, amendments to Part 3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) in British Columbia will require employers to ensure workers receive prompt and appropriate first aid treatment. Employers must align their workplace first aid programs with the updated standards, including conducting a first aid assessment by October 31, 2024.
The criteria for the new first aid assessment include:
- The number of workers at your workplace
- The travel time from the workplace to the closest BC ambulance station
- Accessibility of the workplace to BC Ambulance Staff
- The work activities undertaken at your workplace
Key changes include updated first aid certification and training levels, compliance with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards for first aid kits, and mandatory annual first aid drills. Employers must also ensure emergency transportation standards for remote workplaces. Immediate action is required to review and implement these changes, with a new workplace first aid assessment to be conducted in consultation with the joint health and safety committee or worker health and safety representative.
For questions or more information, please submit a ticket through our OnDemand portal.
Source: Government of British Columbia